I opined when it came to Up that it’s hard to judge the Pixar canon because there are so few missteps, but when it comes to favorites, everyone’s got to have one. You have to at some point think of which one you love the most. It’s not like they’re your children. Though a case can be made for almost every single one of their films, the one that gets me the hardest, and the one that always works me over like a sap is Monsters Inc. My review of it after the jump.

For only the second time since the category’s creation in 2001, Best Animated Feature will have five nominees competing for the award instead of three.  This is because this is the first time more than 16 films have been submitted.  Maybe another year this would mean the category would have greater competition rather than a clear winner in years past (although there have been a couple upsets, i.e. years where Pixar released a film and didn’t win).  Unfortunately for the four other also-rans, Pixar released Up.  Hit the jump for more details.

We want to bring you more news every day, but unfortunately our robot army of writers who never need to sleep, to eat, or to love, is still under development (currently all they do is sleep, eat, and love).  In the meantime, we’re going to be making “A Fistful of News” a regular feature you’ll see every other day where we bring you some additional news stories we found but didn’t have time to write.  Until the Robot Army is ready to proceed (which is unlikely as we cut corners and ordered them from Belize, a country not known for quality robotics).

After the jump you’ll find ten quick news items including what’s next for Up director Peter Docter even though it’s not Monsters, Inc. 2, Guillermo del Toro’s monster cameo in The Hobbit, and Jeff Bridges’ behind-the-scenes photography on the set of Iron Man.

When talking about the latest Pixar, it’s easy to fall into superlatives. Really, there’s only one modestly bad apple, and that’s Cars. The other film singled out as less than is A Bug’s Life, but that’s a solid film in its own right, and probably their most underrated. So is it fair to call Up a masterpiece? Yes. Yes it is. My review of Up after the jump.

As I said last week, with the holiday’s approaching and everyone trying to save money, we’re keeping our eyes open for “geek gifts”.  And thanks to Amazon, if you haven’t already pre-ordered Up on Blu-ray, they have a great deal that ends tomorrow.  If you buy Up for $19.99, you can get a second Disney Blu-ray for an additional $10 dollars.  Since the retail price for the four disc Blu-ray of Up is over $40 dollars, this is a great deal as you get two Blu-ray movies for $30 dollars with free shipping and no sales tax (depending where you live).  While the list of choices is limited, they do have the Blu-ray’s of Bolt, Snow White, and Cars. Click here to check it out.

However, the best part of the deal for the Pixar fanatics out there is getting Up and Monsters, Inc. (both directed by Pete Docter) together for $32.98.  That’s basically getting the 4-Disc Blu-ray of Up AND the 4-Disc Blu-ray of Monsters, Inc. for $16.49 each.  You’re not going to beat that deal.  Either way, this is one of the must-own movies of the year so head over to buy Up with whichever deal you prefer.  Remember, Up will be available to own starting tomorrow so pre-order today because these deals ain’t gonna last.

To celebrate the release of Pixar’s “Up” on DVD and Blu-ray on November 10^th, eight gorgeous retro-style posters for the film have been released.  Your wall space and my wall space crave them.  I’m assuming these posters were also done by Eric Tan (who did these retro-style posters for “Wall-E” as well as other movies which you can see on his site), since I know he did the one featuring Muntz’ evil pups.

While the one I want the most is not included in this set, I still want all eight of these.  Sadly, I have no idea where you and I can buy them.  You can check out the full set after the jump. [UPDATE! You can buy the posters here.  Also--they're signed.  I'm going to dig through my couch cushions to see if there's the $145 I need to get the Dug poster.] [2nd UPDATE! It's been brought to my attention that Eric Tan did "Journey into the Wild", Craig Foster Did "SAA: South American Air", Erik Evans did "Paradise Falls", and the other five are by Paul Conrad.  Only Eric Tan's posters (including ones not in this set) are available at Acme Archives Direct]

Named after the legendary producer behind such films as “King Kong”, “Gone with the Wind” and “Rebecca” The David O. Selznick Achiement Award in Motion Pictures is a tremendous honor bestowed upon producers by the Producers Guild of America.  Past recipients include Saul Zaentz, Robert Evans, Roger Corman, and Jerry Bruckheimer.  But never in its history has a producer of animated films received the award…until now.

At the 21^st Annual PGA Awards Ceremony on Sunday, January 24, 2010, writer, director, producer, and Pixar COO John Lasseter will receive the David O. Selznick Achievement Award.  Hit the jump for details and what this could mean for “Up’s” chances at a Best Picture Oscar.

Every Pixar movie opens the same way: Luxo Jr. (the lamp) comes bouncing down the frame from the right side and it starts to jump up and down on the letter I. Well, the folks at College Humor have created a different version of the intro…and this one isn’t kid friendly. While we rarely post videos, this one is pretty good. Watch it after the jump:

“Toy Story 3″ director Lee Unkrich decided to just be a ray of sunshine and good cheer today by revealing some new (and slightly used) pieces of news.  First, Kristen Schaal of “Flight of the Conchords” and “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” will be playing a new character although Unkrich wouldn’t say who (which may mean the character isn’t in the new trailer although that’s just speculation).  As for who will replace the late, great Jim Varney as the voice of Slinky, character actor and Varney’s friend Blake Clark will honor his friend by playing the role.  Finally, and what I think is the most important piece of news, the “Toy Story 1 & 2 3D Double Feature” will extend its run in theaters.  Unkrich says that’s good because that way more people can see the “Toy Story 3″ trailer in 3D but I say it’s good because you owe it to yourself to re-experience these film and if you’re a parent with young kids, you must take your kids to see these movies or else everyone will know that you’re a bad parent who hates their kids and wants them to be miserable.

Hit the jump for the full video of Unkrich’s brief details on “Toy Story 3″ which hits theaters on June 18^th , 2010.

Pixar/Walt Disney has released three new “Toy Story 3″ character posters and they’re of Woody, Hamm and Buzz. Just a little while ago I posted the first trailer for “Toy Story 3″, so you all know how much I’m looking forward to this film. Anyway, not much to say about the posters except they look great. Love the black background, as it makes the characters really standout. Hit the jump to check them out.

While the trailer for “Toy Story 3″ was supposed to premiere on MySpace this Monday, due to the trailer playing in theaters on the “Toy Story” double feature, it’s been online for over a week. Since leaking, most websites have stayed away from posting it, but for some reason, today is the day that everyone feels it’s safe to post…so I’m joining the party.

As you might imagine, Pixar’s “Toy Story 3″ trailer looks awesome. It’s got great looking animation, a few jokes that will make you laugh, but most important, “Toy Story 3″ looks to have a solid story with Andy going off to college and the gang trying to stay together. With Pixar’s track record this movie is certain to be worth everyone’s time. Check the trailer out after the jump, and go see the “Toy Story” 3D double feature this weekend in theaters, as the movies stand up and the 3D looks great.

Pixar has released a new poster for “Toy Story 3″ and it’s a character poster for Rex the Green Dinosaur (voiced by Wallace Shawn). With the release date not until next summer, I’d imagine we’re going to get character posters for everyone. While that would bother me on certain movie, when it’s Pixar and “Toy Story”, I’ve got no problems.

The other bit of news is this Monday, MySpace will be premiering the “Toy Story 3″ trailer at 9am PT/12pm ET. This is the same trailer that’s playing in theaters on the “Toy Story” double feature, but it hasn’t yet been released. I saw it last weekend and it’s great. But we’re talking about Pixar…so is that any surprise. Take a look at Rex after the jump. And if you haven’t seen the “Toy Story” double feature in 3D, go this holiday weekend. It’s well worth the money.

I don’t understand anyone who wouldn’t want to go back and watch “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2″ on the big screen especially when it only costs $15.  Not each.  Combined.  And forget about the 3D or even the digital projection.  These are two of the greatest movies in the past twenty years and even if you don’t have kids (because if you’re a parent with a kid 12 or under, this is mandatory) why not revisit them on a big screen?  They have not aged.  They are as vibrant, funny, clever, and heart-warming as you remember.  But if you need more convincing (and if so, I think you might be a hopeless case), read on.

Walt Disney/Pixar has released a great TV spot for their upcoming “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2″ 3D double feature and you can watch it after the jump. While it’s hard to sell anything in thirty seconds, this one is just about perfect. I especially like the opening 10 seconds. But enough of my rambling, just watch the commercial.

Sometimes a simple poster is all you need. That’s why Pixar is one of the best (or the best) movie studios on the planet. They get it. They understand. Story first. Everything else is second.

Anyway, over the past few days Disney was flooding D23 with cool exclusive images and videos. Unfortunately, all of us not in attendance were forced to read about it. But, thankfully, images are trailers are starting to be released and after the jump you can see the first teaser poster for “Toy Story 3″. It’s a simple poster that says ‘No Toy Gets Left Behind. It’s great. Take a look.

While in London, Walt Disney Animation and Pixar COO John Lasseter spoke at length about Disney’s upcoming projects.  Though some may be disappointed that he did not announce Kingdom Hearts 3: Marvel Edition, many will be happy to know that he gave some new details about Pixar’s latest projects.  After proving septuagenarians can still be leading men with “Up”, Pixar has decided to make another new foray and has hired Reese Witherspoon to voice a 10^th century Scottish princess in “The Bear and the Bow.”  Pixar has studiously avoided the so-called princess genre but it appears there is a first time for everything.  Also unexpected, Lasseter announced the continuation of the “Tinkerbell” movie line.  This is an about face from two years ago when Lasseter said that “Tinkerbell” was “virtually unwatchable” and that direct to DVD sequels and spinoffs like it only hurt Disney because they diluted the value of the original film.   Hit the jump to learn more about the newest princess and what Tink is up to now.